Naruto belongs to Kishimoto
They ran, how long ago had it been since he said those vague words in the cave. She had lost all sense of time, each little camp they made, weather it be in the woods, or a cave, or under the roots of a tree centuries old, flashed on by like a light show. She had no anticipation for the next day nor did she mourn the ones that past.
They had just entered a little town, Hinata kept her head low and followed behind Sasuke. His hands were cold, they always seemed cold to touch. Unless he kept moving he became cold, especially his feet. She slipped her fingers in between his, and tilted her head so it was resting against his shoulder. " Your cold" she said thinking out loud.
"Yeah" he answered.
They had fallen into this odd little routine, an almost close detachment. Very few words passed between each other. But it was comfortable, they where almost always physically touching in some way or another. It felt like it was verification, just to check if the other person was still there next to them.
She felt content with him; he didn't offer her any tangible future. But he kept her company in her numbness; she had no idea what she offered him, but was glad he kept away the roar of her distorted mind with his cool hands.
"Your like an ice pack" another thought that had escaped her mind.
A slight smile pulled at the corners of his lips. He placed a kiss on the top of her head. " Must be careful then, the sun might melt me."
She let out a short and shocked little "ha" for his joke.
They wondered into the heart of the town, a busy market place, with stalls that sold necessities and also the luxuries. What they needed the most was a change of clothes. Of course they had customized their uniform's for the need of discretion, Sasuke had stripped all the anbu armor off and untied the bandages that concealed his weapon's on his thigh. He has also cut the collar lower so it didn't cover all of his neck. Hinata did the same getting rid of her chunnin vest and cutting and creating tears so it looked less like a uniform and more casual. She hid her Forehead protector under her shirt. They did however cover Hinata left eye with a bandage, which allowed her to see, through the gaps. Leaving her scarred and blind eye on display. So people would assume her pupil less eyes was due to an accident rather then a family trait.
Approaching stall after stall to make it look like they were browsing, like every normal shopper picking an item here and there. They blended in perfectly, like every good shanobi was taught to. They had no money on them but that was easily overcome.
But finding a place to stay was a different matter entirely; they couldn't run like they had been, forever. They needed to lay low in hopes their pursuers would pass them. They had picked a fairly large, backwater town, big enough to hide well and not have every one gossip at the new people in town. Low key enough not to draw in, high key officials and other important people with Nin guards.
They where currently sitting in front of a store, Hinata sucking on an Ice pop, Sasuke had just stolen for her. She had been craving ice for the past few days now, even though it was almost winter. He was scanning a map of the town. " Where do you want to live, the centre of town, or some where near the edge?" Sasuke asked formulating the best place to stay.
Hinata leaned in to peer at the map " What's our cover story?"
" Young couple looking, for work"
"Centre, the cheaper places are normally around there."
"Yeah, we should start looking in this area here." He said pointing to a section on the map.
"How are we going to pay for it?"
" Give me an hour, I should be able to get a months rent. While I am doing that, you pick us a place to live" He stood and gave her the map, she stretched out her hand for him to help her up. He helped her up she used the motion from his slight tug, to give him a quick peck on his lips.
"Ok, see you in an hour." She said with a sly smile.
She wandered down one of the streets of the area Sasuke had picked out, rather carefree humming an inane tune to herself. It felt offsetting not feeling Sasuke's presence beside her. But she hadn't become clingy enough to fall to pieces the moment he was gone. "That will take at least a few hours" she joked with herself. She didn't exactly know what to look for this part town seemed pretty shady, It was bordering on the red light district, with all sorts of bars and clubs offering extra services. There were also a few restaurants scattered about. Certainly not any for rent signs or anywhere to stay, jumping out at her. In a sudden impulsive decision she turned right into one of the clubs, down the few steps into a grimy poorly lit entrance. The door was open and she could see a woman behind the counter refilling some of the bottles. "We're closed come back later," the woman said sensing someone at the door. Then she looked up, and caught a glimpse of Hinata. She lifted her head and gazed at her for a moment. " Lookin' for work?" The woman hollered from the other side of the bar.
"Place to stay" Hinata said evenly, the woman came out from behind the counter, walked to stand in front of her. The woman looked to be in her late thirties, pretty face now withered by years of drinking, the wrinkles around her mouth indicated she was a smoker. She had red aubuny colour, dry straw like hair. Piled up in an elaborate bun on top of her head, held in place with an ornamental clip. Her skin also had a slight unhealthy tinge of yellow to it. Lifting Hinata's chin and scrutinizing her features "Blind?" the woman asked examining her eye.
"In my right" She answered.
"Humm, good skin, pretty face, and cleavage" the woman said as if ticking off some mental check list. " I'll give ya' a place to stay, if ya' work for me." Hinata regarded her surroundings for a minute, "I already have someone, I like to sleep with." She informed matter of factly.
The woman had a heavy accent, it sounded harsh to Hintata's unaccustomed ears, but it wasn't a bad. Hinata thought it to be quiet homely in a way. The words came out rich and sharp, but she found the whole effect rather soothing.
"That someone, got money?" She asked in a knowing tone.
"About a months, rent." Hinata replied nonplused
"Let me see now, that leaves nothing for ya' to live on. I bet that's all the things you 'ave". She indicating the small bag Hinata was carrying, with the clothes they had stolen earlier in it. " Ya sure that man of yours is gunna stick around."
Hinata looked to the ground for a moment and actually thought about the woman's words. "Not really" she let out uncertainly, then looked back up at the woman. " Nothing guaranteed or for certain, but he doesn't look like he's going anywhere for now." She saw no reason why she shouldn't answer her honestly, the woman clearly had more experience in these matters.
"Ya 'ave quite the posh accent, where ya' from?" She asked more gently, so not to overwhelm the young girl in front of her.
Hinata shrugged " Used to be a servant for a rich family, I just grew up hearing it." Well it was technically true, her clan did treat her with less respect then a servant girl.
" A run away." The woman said coming to her own conclusion about Hinata's past, and her obviously abused face.
"Yeah" Hinata agreed quickly
The woman nodded once "The same go for ya' man?" She asked
" Pretty much, but he got out when he was younger. Just happen to meet him when I ran, he's been helping me ever since." It was basically the truth.
" Alright, I'll tell ya' what. I'll let you work behind the bar. Lets hope that man of yours ain't the jealous type." She smiled knowingly when she said, that. Pushing back the years a little making her face brighter. "What's ya' name honey?"
"Hinata" she smiled at ease with the woman. Then she suddenly frowned 'Crap, I should of given her a fake name'. Scolding her self for all ready giving away her identity
The woman laughed. As if reading her mind she said, "Don't worry, honey if they come lookin' for ya', I'll tell them ya' not here."
Hinata smiled in relief she was starting to really like her. "Names Kaori, I'll be ya' new boss." Hinata nodded once as the woman wander over to the counter and picked up a set of keys. " Follow me honey." Kaori led her through the club. The floor was sticky and all the windows had been painted over from the inside. She herd keys turn and a click, Kaori unlocked a door in the wall, it was so dark Hinata didn't notice it. The woman carried on talking to her, while she was rummaging around for something in the cupboard "Ya probably should, think of another name for ya self, you know fresh start an' all."
" Your right." She scratched the back of her head, a habit she would do when thinking of something fun. Which she unconsciously picked up off Naruto after years of watching him.
"How about Hitomi" Kaori suggested.
Hinata let out a snort and laughed at the irony. Hitomi meant pupil of the eye. " How about Youko, kind of similar to ya' old name sunny an' all."
No that reminded her too much of the name Hyuuga. "I like the name Amako." Amako she repeated to her self in her head.
"Rain child huh, well alright" Kaori immerged out of the room with a dress in one hand and two tops in the other. "These should fit ya'." She handed them over to Hinata, who looked at them skeptically. "That's your new uniform, now about a place to stay, humm ya' could try a few places two streets up from here, be sure to be back by seven mind." She instructed Hinata, clearly she had already planned this out, from the moment she first spoke.
"Alright, thanks."
When Hinata left the club, she had to squint and let her one working eye adjust back to the light.
"You found us a place to stay yet?" said a heard a deep familiar voice say from behind her. She repressed any sort of startled reaction easily, she turned and smiled "That was quick, No not yet, but I have gotten my self a job and a new name." She started walking in the direction, she had been advised to go.
Sasuke fell into pace with her, close, so his arm was touching her back. "New name?" he asked her.
"Amako" she told him. "I think, it suits me better now." He grew quiet and didn't reply. "I also have new name for you" she carried on knowing he wouldn't respond with curiosity "Shin." She turned to catch his reaction, he wasn't giving much away, his face was still stotic and neutral. "What, do you think?" She asked trying to prompt some kind of reaction from him.
He shrugged " It, will do."
'It's probably the best; I am going get out of him.' She thought to her self, so turned away satisfied. His arm now draped across her shoulder
"What about surnames" he asked.
'I hadn't thought of that.' "I don't think many people will ask."
As if to prove a her wrong the man now standing in front of her was asking "Amako what?"
The man was in his mid forties she guessed, balding with dark brown hair, with streaks of wiry grey mingled in between. He was short for a man, just taller than her self by an inch or two. But he was burly despite his small status, due to years of manual work. He had a deep gruff voice, his accent wasn't quite as pronounced as Koari's.
Dam errr "Hatake" she slightly yelled the first name that came into her head, then immediately cursed internally.
"Hatake Amako" the man repeated "Farmers daughter?" He asked noticing the meaning in the name.
"Yeah something like that" she agreed anxiously twiddling with her little finger.
" And you" the man said now talking to Sasuke.
"Itou Shin" he said with ease clearly having thought ahead.
"Well here's your keys, and if there's anything wrong with the place you'll have to fix it your self." The man let them know dismissively, his words fading as he walked out the door.
They had just rented a warehouse; the town had a lot of industrial estate. As a results a lot of warehouses too, business was down, so a lot were left empty and dormant. It wasn't meant for human inhabitation, but if the was money to be made then no one cared.
It was literally one big empty massive room. An exception of there being a semi rusted bath tub in the middle. Hinata said staring at her new home. "We could of really used Yamato right about now."
"The man that could use wood justsu" Sasuke asked handing her a limp red ice pop he had gotten earlier for her.
"Yeah, he makes great furniture, thanks." She said tearing a hole in the plastic with her teeth.
"So Hatake huh, didn't think you and Kakashi were, that close." Sasuke teased.
Growing that old hint of red in her face, she moved to avoid the remark. "We can probably use that bath, clean it up a bit. Getting water in and out of it will be a hassle though." Walking up close to it inspecting it for holes.
Cool arms encircled her from behind, that tinge of pleasure and gilt creeped through her. As he snaked his arm under her top, the sensation of skin on skin, the texture of soft and smooth, with raised bumps and rough worn skin. The side of his mouth pressed against hers as she slowly turned towards him. That feeling now intensified, his hands running up her back, the pleasure and gilt merging in to one frustrating feeling. She bit down on his lip, she shouldn't being doing this, but this was her mission. She isn't in love with him, but she wanted him.
Ahhhhhhhh, she wanted to scream this push and pull, this yes and no of emotions, was bringing her to the brink of insanity. Gripping his hair and wrapping her legs around his waist she kissed him with her confusion, frustration, her want and need.
She was now getting dressed for her new occupation, choosing the dress, purely because she had nothing to match the tops. The dress was revealing low cut and short. Exactly how it was meant to be, Sasuke hadn't put a shirt on yet and she could clearly see red bite marks forming along his neck and on his shoulder.
She didn't realize she did that, maybe she picked up the biting habit from Kiba. She stood in front him and examined the marks; he seemed rather amused at her reaction to her own savageness. The red now mostly melted ice pop caught her eye, she had placed on the edge of the tub before.
Picking it up and sucking it till one of the few ice chunks caught in her mouth, she placed the ice on the mark, with her tongue and dragged it up along his neck with her mouth. The ice melting on contact with his skin, the red syrup trickle down his pale chest, she caught the bottom of the drips and licked him clean. His hand's gripping her waist pressing her against him, he attacked her lips with aroused hunger.
"Sasuke" she said as she pushed away, he followed her with his lips.
"I've have to go to work" She managed to utter out in between kisses. He let out an irritated grunt as he pulled away, and picked up his shirt, but not putting it on, till they where out in the cold air.
They walked lazily to the bar, checking their new surroundings as they went. Men that just finished work, friends coming out for a drink, others that where looking for female company. Had filled the streets every shop looked busy. A few men glanced at Hinata but noticing Sasuke by her side, avoided her.
"Amako, its about time!" Kaori shouted from the other side of the bar as they had just entered. The place was packed with allsort, mostly loud and roudy men calling for attention. There were also sevral girls wearing dresses shorter than Hinata, trotting from bar to table with a sway in their hips, serving. Seeing the girls skin exposed made her more conscious of her own appearance. She tugged on the hem of her dress but that only put more of her cleavage on show. She sighed and gave up, all the other girls where dressed like her, so what was the point of being self-conscious.
Sasuke sat him self down on one of the stools whilst Hinata lifted the trap door went behind the contour. "My" Kaori let out a low breath " I can see why you like sleeping with him" She said getting closer to Sasuke "He quiet the looker."
"Yeah" Hinata agreed with a shrug, slightly distracted by seeing one of the girls getting, slapped on the bottom, by a large man. ' Urgh, I don't want them touching me' . She wasn't great on the idea of strange men touching her, before and after the whole torture incident.
A smile pulled on Sasuke's lips "Is that all I get a shrug, maybe you really do like Kakashi better." Hinata pulled back into focus at his words, and blushing slightly. Heatedly fiddling with her fingers as if the action it self, would save her from, her earlier embarrassment. 'He's not going to let me, forget that is he.' She said bitterly in her head.
Letting out a small huff she spotted a hair tie on the counter. " Koauri can I borrow this?" she said picking it up.
"Huh? That yeah keep it." The older woman answered moving on to serve the next customer.
Filling up a glass with water, and finding some clearly stale salted snacks in a little bowl from under the counter. She placed them all in front of Sasuke "This is proof that I like you, see I got you food" she pointed to the stale snacks "well maybe not as much as Kakashi" She added teasingly, then frowned.
"What?" Sasuke asked noting her frown.
"Turn your head." she ordered. His hair had gotten longer and it no longer stuck up as much at the back, but his fringe kept getting in his eyes. It irritated her, how he never brushed it out of the way.
He turned his head hesitantly, not sure what she was about to do. She reached over the counter and gathered his hair in her hand; with the other she brushed and pulled back his fringe, away from his forehead. And tied it with the hair tie, giving him a high ponytail. She stepped back to look at him, his face no longer obstructed with hair. His complexion smooth and clear, though he definitely inherited his mother's eyes. He had a strong defined masculine jaw line. He still projected that fierce pride, that he seemed to hold in the air around him. Odd how different he looked, by simply changing the way he wore his hair.
Sasuke arched his eyebrow quizzically, she had been staring at him, for a while with a small dazed smile upon her face. "Amako! ya' can play with him later get to work girl!" Kaouri bawled out.
"Yeah" Hinata agreed and turned to work, with out giving him a second glance.